Throughout pregnancy, you will most likely be informed by your midwife, friends and family around you that there are many things you can and can’t do. While it is safe to visit your dentist during pregnancy for dental check-ups, there are some treatments you, unfortunately, won’t be able to have.
With that being said, it’s more important than ever to pay close attention to your dental health during pregnancy, with hormonal changes taking place which can affect your oral health. Many pregnant women suffer from sensitive gums which are inflamed and can sometimes bleed, with a higher risk of pregnancy gingivitis taking place.
As your dental health has a big impact on your general health, any dental problems may have impacts on your baby, so it’s worth making regular visits to your dentist during your pregnancy. While we generally recommend visiting the dentist every six months, you should visit more frequently during pregnancy and consult your dentist if you are experiencing any dental problems.
In this guide, we explain what to expect when visiting your dentist during pregnancy, why you should visit regularly and the common dental issues found by many women during pregnancy.
Dental X-Rays Examinations
Many pregnant women worry about having dental x-rays during pregnancy and whether or not it is safe to be exposed to this radiation. Modern x-rays use low doses of radiation which are completely safe during pregnancy.
To be additionally cautious, you may be advised by your dentist to wait to have an x-ray if you are in the first trimester of your pregnancy unless your dental visit is an emergency dental visit.
Dental Anaesthetic
Dental anaesthesia is used in many dental procedures to ease pain and discomfort so that treatments are as comfortable and pain-free as possible. Of course, if you are pregnant, you may be questioning whether or not a dental anaesthetic is an option when visiting your dentist for treatments.
Fortunately, dental anaesthesia can safely be used during pregnancy for dental treatments as your dentist can issue a small concentrated amount of anaesthesia which is safe for your baby but also provides you with maximum comfort and relaxation. This does mean that you must inform your dentist of your pregnancy so that they can issue you with an anaesthetic with appropriate concentration levels.
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatments should never be delayed as it’s important to visit your dentist as soon as you notice the signs to avoid further damage to your teeth. As root canal treatments are classed as a dental emergency, it’s completely safe for the treatment to take place during pregnancy.
With that being said, the safest time would be during the second trimester as several dental x-rays are required during a root canal treatment.
Tooth Extraction
If for whatever reason, you are required to have a tooth removed, you must consult your dentist so that they are aware of how to make the procedure as comfortable as possible for you, particularly as you may require a dental anaesthetic.
Fortunately, dental extractions can safely take place at any point during your pregnancy, although, depending on the reason for your dental extraction, it may be safer to have the tooth removed during the second trimester due to the need for having x-rays during dental extraction.
Teeth Whitening
Strictly speaking, teeth whitening isn’t an emergency treatment, so you may be advised to wait, although teeth whitening is safe during pregnancy. Your dentist may advise against having teeth whitening during the third trimester as it can be uncomfortable to lay down while the cosmetic treatment is taking place.
Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatments are safe during pregnancy, however, you should consult your dentist first as it is best to wait until the second trimester. Some pregnant women experience some dental problems during pregnancy, such as sensitive gums or swollen gums, so it may be best to wait until after your pregnancy as orthodontics may cause irritation depending on which orthodontic treatment you choose.
London Dental Treatments During Pregnancy
It’s important to visit your dentist during pregnancy so that the condition of your teeth and gums can be checked as well as any emergency dental problems can be spotted before they turn into a bigger problem.
At Hermes London Dental Clinic, we recommend that you visit the practice for dental treatments when pregnant with a thorough check-up to ensure a happy and healthy pregnancy, as your oral health has never been more important.
Please get in contact today – we’d love to help.
